Saturday, May 29, 2010

My Three Lords - Excerpt (unedited)

My wonderful editor has given me permission to post this UNEDITED excerpt from My Three Lords. (As long as I point out that it's unedited.) So here goes.

“I make you two promises, Alicia. The first is that I shall not take your maidenhead. Only one man may do so, and that is your husband. The second is that tonight you will experience more pleasure than you’ve ever imagined, thanks to me. If the Earl were here tonight, you’d receive no gentle caresses, no stroking such as I intend to give you. Your nipples would be left untouched, save for a rough tweak or two. Whereas I intend to savor their sweetness and watch them stand to attention like pink sentinels of your desire.”

Pinned as if I were a helpless butterfly, I lost myself in the soothing cadence of his speech. I became aware of the heat and strength of his body, and an unfamiliar tingling in my belly.

“You may think you prefer the Earl, but you’d regret it deeply. Your deflowering would be painful rather than pleasurable. Harsh rather than sweet. Such an event in a young girl’s life should bring tears of joy along with the tears of pain. That is what I offer, and the Earl, cognizant of your best interests as well as his own, has allowed me to provide this service. Do you understand?”

I nodded, and when he didn’t respond, whispered, “Yes.”

“Then come. Rise now.”

The weight lifted off me, and he helped me to my feet. When I stood facing him, I saw a look such as I’d never seen on his cynical face before. He looked almost tender. Slowly, gently, he traced the skin along the edge of my loosened petticoat. I felt a prickling in the tips of my breasts. When I looked down at myself, the nipples were just as he said, pink and standing up through the layers of undergarments. He hooked his finger in the lacy border between my breasts. My breath caught.

“I won’t proceed further unless I have your full consent. Despite my reputation, I am not in the habit of forcing my attentions on unwilling girls. I must know that you accept what I’m offering you, fully and completely.”

His black gaze seared into me, as if he could see all the hidden corners of my soul. And perhaps he could, because God help me, I wanted the things he’d promised, and more. I wanted to lie down on the bed and roll myself in the bedclothes, or strip off my chemise and run outside under the stars. I didn’t fully understand what was happening to me. My body felt heavy and yet light at the same time.

“I do,” I whispered. “I accept.”

His eyes glittered in the candlelight. I felt dizzy. For a moment, I was back in the barn at home, caught with a goatherd’s hand hovering over my breast. I’d looked up in alarm at the sound of soft laughter. The sight of the Marquis’s delighted, mocking smile had turned me to stone.

There had been another feeling as well, a charge in the air that made my skin prickle.

I felt it again as his eyes deliberately consumed my body, top to toe. Under my eyelashes, I performed an inspection of my own. The Marquis was not a bad-looking man, slender of build, perhaps a head taller than myself. As always, he was dressed in the height of fashion, with plum-colored breeches and a splendid coat of superfine that fit him to perfection. He always appeared to be mocking the world around him, but over the years I had on occasion seen him perform small kindnesses that surprised me.

“There has always been a special feeling between us, has there not?” As he spoke, he deftly removed my petticoat and stays until I stood in nothing more than a chemise. I shivered at his nearness. Not for the first time, I thought what a powerful man he was, not in physique but in presence…a powerful man inclined to darkness.

He picked up a candle and slowly walked around me, shining its light on my body. The warmth from the candle paled in comparison to the penetrating weight of his gaze. I fixed my eyes on the pretty vanity on the far side of the room. I counted five silver brushes and considered attempting to count the individual bristles to distract myself from the strange feelings stealing over me.

A gentle touch on my posterior made me start. His hand cupped my bottom and warmth flooded my being. How could such a simple touch create such an uproar within me? With a firm hand and wandering fingers, he stroked my flesh. I felt the back of my chemise inch up my legs. The feel of his fingertips roaming across the backs of my thighs was so exquisite, I closed my eyes so the pleasure would continue.

“Ah no, my dear, you are not allowed to close your eyes. I want you to fully comprehend that it is I, the dreaded Marquis de Beaumont, who is bringing you this enjoyment. Whose hands are now stroking your tender buttocks?”

Tendrils of fire seemed to spread across my bottom as he quickened his touch. “Yours,” I gasped.

“And who intends to remove this interfering chemise from your body?”

My throat became suddenly parched. If he removed my chemise, I would be naked before the most notorious rake in England. “You,” I whispered. “But, please…”

“Yes?” His fingers danced up the curve of my spine and my belly seemed to quiver in response. Cool air caressed my back as he drew up the chemise. “Ah, so lovely. I’ve waited a very long time for this moment.”

I clutched the front of it to my chest. My head was such a confusing swarm of thoughts, I didn’t know what I wanted to say. Please continue. Stop this instant. The two opposite impulses battled in my mind. “Why me?” I managed.

“Why you?” My question did not make him pause in his intrusions on my body. Every inch of exposed skin drew a caress or a pat from his relentless, curious, knowing hands. Every touch sent a cascade of shivers across my flesh. “I’m sure you don’t remember, but you first caught my eye as a girl dashing after your brothers. You ran directly into me, like a Spanish bull into a cape. I have been accustomed to find myself a figure of fright for young girls. But you seemed to have no fear of me. I plucked you off the ground and held you high. You looked back at me with those frank eyes of yours, whose color I find no words for, somewhere in the mysterious realm between gray and blue, and you said, quite simply, “You were directly in my path. You will please to put me down now.” And so I did, and watched, bemused, as you raced away to join your brothers. At that moment I knew you were an unusual girl.”

By this time he was in front of me, loosing my hands from their grip on my chemise. I looked up at him and found myself surprised by a hint of softness in his usually sharp eyes.

“This chemise,” he told me softly, “can hide nothing from me. I know your soul, my dear, perhaps better than you do yourself. You desire things you cannot name. You sense it in the springtime air, the moonlight over a stream, the scent of lilacs in the sunshine. The world promises you something just beyond your senses, something you cannot grasp, simply because you don’t yet know how. I will show you how, my dear."

Thanks for reading! Did I mention it's unedited? My Three Lords is coming soon from Ellora's Cave Exotika line. As soon as I know the release date, I'll share it here.

Peace and love, Juniper

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Five Random Facts about Juniper Bell

Five things you don't know about me ... (and might regret learning)!

This topic was suggested to me when I was scrambling around for something to blog about. I tend to avoid personal stuff, because, well, I'm not sure anyone's interested! But I can probably come up with five random odd things you probably don't know about me.

1. I sucked my thumb (sporadically) until I was thirteen years old.

2. I once dated a guy who owned one spoon and one bowl. (You'd think that would be a red flag, right?)

3. Aspirin makes my face blow up like Elephant Man.

4. I have fuschia streaks in my hair right now.

5. I'm engaged to be married on December 31 of this year.

That last one is odd only because I've waited this long to marry someone. (I won't say how long, that would be way too personal. *laughs*) I joke, but I'm actually very happy about this new adventure. I love my sweetie.

Thanks for letting me share! Anyone else care to jump in? Odd personal facts are eagerly welcomed!

Juniper

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Nicole Austin's "Kenna's Cowboy"

I'd like to welcome Ellora's Cave author Nicole Austin to my blog! Her 19th release, Kenna's Cowboy, is out today, and I get to share the hotness with a excerpt. This book is part of a 5 book series she's written with Ellora’s Cave authors TJ Michaels, Ciana Stone & NJ Walters.


BLURB


Cursed with unusual abilities, orphan McKenna Fulton has always been different, an outcast. But she’s been Chosen.

More accurately, she is one of the Chosen. Eight individuals—four women and four men—selected at birth to guard slices of crystal. The Heart of Fire.

The whole thing is more than a little farfetched. Kenna can handle the part of getting down and dirty with the bad dude. She’s even okay with guarding a crystal. But losing her free will and being stuck with some guy, her destined mate, uh-uh. Not happening.

Local mechanic Ryker Thomas is more than he appears and has his own set of abilities. Kenna wants nothing to do with the southern charmer. So what if he has a matching crystal and the damn things hum and vibrate whenever they’re close together. That doesn’t mean she’ll toe the line.

He can’t be the one she’s supposed to be with. Fate wouldn’t be so cruel as to send her a cowboy when what she wants is a bad boy.


EXCERPT


©Copyright Nicole Austin

Note: This excerpt is intended for those readers 18 years old or older.

Excerpt:


“Kiss me, cowboy.”

Ryker had every intention of fulfilling Kenna’s request and then some. He’d wanted to get to know the strong, enigmatic woman since her first day in town. She’d managed to keep her distance but not anymore. Now that he had her all to himself, he had no intention of letting go.

His hands slid around her waist and he pulled her soft curves against his solid frame. God, she fit him just right. Built like a brick house—tall, curvy and stacked—she was perfect. Full tits cushioned his chest almost as sweetly as her soft belly nestled the length of his aching cock.

With the first brush of their lips she purred and melted into him. Her lips parted in silent invitation, testing his resolve to go slow. He traced the pouty shape of her lush pink mouth, instantly addicted to her spicy cinnamon taste. It suited her, as did the dark, tough-chick clothes she wore.

Kenna was no fragile rose to be kept sheltered and there was nothing tentative in her kiss. She met his lips head on, her fierce passion draining all the blood from his thinking head and funneling it straight to his randy dick. Her tongue shot past his lips, delving and tasting, driving his hunger higher. He followed as she retreated only to have her suck on his lower lip and snap his control.

Following the curves of her ass, he cupped the firm cheeks and gave her a quick squeeze before grasping her thighs. As he lifted, she wrapped those gorgeous legs around his waist, hooking her ankles and holding on tight. He groaned and she drank down the sound as he set her on the fender of Joey’s car, freeing his hands to explore.

Kenna devoured him, plain and simple. She sucked on his tongue and he had no trouble picturing her on her knees showing such avid attention to his cock. Her hands got in on the act, first gripping his shoulders then moving lower, flowing over his chest as if she were blind and reading his body by Braille.

“Oh shit. You’re bleeding.” She went from feeling him up to ripping at his shirt. Two strong tugs and the material gave, splitting down the middle.

Bleeding?

Ryker glanced down, trying to figure out what she was going on about. A dark red stain marred the tattered blue material. He hadn’t taken part in the fight, didn’t feel any pain, so how the hell could he be bleeding?

She grabbed the braided leather around his neck and tossed the pendant over his shoulder. “Keep that away from me.”

Why the hell did she have against his necklace? She wore a strikingly similar one. Not that it mattered when the fingers stroking every inch of his chest into a frenzy almost distracted him from the genuine concern in her big violet-colored eyes.

Jesus! He couldn’t remember the last time someone worried about him. Kenna also looked fighting mad, ready to tear apart anyone stupid enough to have caused him harm.

His heart turned over in his chest and pounded a wild rhythm against his ribs. Ryker caught her hands and brought them to his lips, kissing her knuckles with reverence. “I’m fine. It’s not my blood, darlin’.”

Kenna looked deep into his eyes for the space of several stuttered heartbeats then thrust her fingers into his hair, unseating his hat. She tugged, pulling him into a punishing kiss. They were both panting for air when they surfaced sometime later.

The loud slap of her palm connecting with his face echoed through the garage. Ryker rubbed at his stinging cheek and glared. “What the hell was that for?”

“Don’t you ever scare me like that again!”

Damn, she had a lot of spunk. And the fierce protective gleam in her eyes—what a fucking turn-on. His cock jerked against the painful constriction of his jeans in agreement. While he was dying to plunge deep inside Kenna, he wouldn’t be rushed. Not with her. This was too important to screw up. “I’ll try my best, darlin’.”

The primitive instinct to claim and mark this woman as his was nearly overpowering his desire to give her more pleasure than she’d ever known. Deep down an inner conviction assured him they had a lifetime ahead of them but it didn’t ease his driving need to fuck her senseless.

“You have too many clothes on.”

“Mmm…so do you, cowboy.” Her lascivious smile had the same effect as a mainlined shot of pure adrenaline. “How about shucking those jeans.”

His cock throbbed and his jeans sported a wet spot. Ryker wasted no time toeing off his sneakers, peeling away both his jeans and briefs in one swoop, then shrugging off the tattered remains of his shirt. He pulled a foil packet from his pants pocket and held it in his hand.

“Your turn.”


To buy Kenna's Cowboy, click here. And to find out more about Nicole and her books, click here to visit her website.


Thanks for sharing, Nicole!


Tuesday, May 11, 2010

My Three Lords - The Cover and Blurb

I thought I'd share the (unedited) blurb for My Three Lords. Enjoy!


How is one innocent country girl to choose between a Duke, a Marquis and an Earl? Must she?

When Miss Alicia Silverwood marries the Earl of Dorchester, he whisks her off to Notre Plaisir, a country manor where erotic surprises await at the hands of three powerful lords and longtime friends.

The young Earl needs a wife and heir. The cynical Marquis de Beaumont needs a playmate. And the commanding Duke of Warrington needs a reason to live. As for the new Lady Dorchester, she’s just beginning to discover the true nature of her own sensual needs. To complicate matters, she’s falling in love.

It might take a miracle for Lady Alicia and her three lords to come to an arrangement that makes everyone happy. Or maybe all it takes is a little scandalous rule-breaking…